Nursery worker pleads not guilty to manslaughter charge over death of nine-month-old baby who died ‘due to unsafe sleep environment’
- Genevieve Meehan died at Tiny Toes Children’s Day Nursery on May 9 last year
- Kate Roughley was at court today charged with manslaughter and child cruelty
A woman will face trial over the death of nine-month-old baby who fell ill at a nursery.
Genevieve Meehan suffered a ‘medical episode’ at Tiny Toes Children’s Day Nursery in Cheadle, Greater Manchester, on May 9, last year. She was taken to hospital but later died.
Kate Roughley, 36, of Heaton Norris, Stockport, appeared today at Manchester Crown Court charged in relation to Genevieve’s death.
She entered not guilty pleas to charges of unlawful act manslaughter and child cruelty and is due face trial on April 15, next year.
A further hearing will also take place on December 21.
The public gallery was packed by members of Genevieve’s family and Roughley’s parents were also in court.
In a statement at the time of the tragedy, Genevieve’s family said: ‘On the afternoon of May 9, 2022 our world turned very dark.
‘We are devastated beyond words at the loss of our beloved Genevieve. She was so wanted and so treasured. Her absence is the wound that will never heal.
‘Genevieve was not just a baby. She was a wonderful, unique and special person.’
An inquest into Genevieve’s death, opened last month, heard that she passed away due to ‘unsafe sleep environment’.
Police coroner’s officer Alison Catlow told the inquest that a pathologist had determined the cause a death as ‘a combination of asphyxia and patho-physiological stress, imparted by an unsafe sleep environment’.
Two women, aged 35 and 34, were arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter a few days after the incident.
A 24-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of child neglect.
All three were later bailed, pending further enquiries.
The nursery has since closed after its registration was suspended by Ofsted last May amid concerns children ‘maybe at risk of harm’.
Following the suspension, Ofsted carried out three regulatory visits at the nursery on September 2, 5 and 28 and found it ‘was not meeting some of the requirements’ placed on it as a result of those visits.
The owners of the nursery had appealed the suspension decision, but then withdrew its Ofsted registration.
